2010 NFL Draft Countdown: Carolina Panthers

The NFL Draft Countdown is where we take a closer look at an NFL franchise to see what its transactions have been and what its needs are.

Franchise

• Draft Position: 17
• 2009 Season Result: 8-8 (3^rd in NFC South; Missed Playoffs)
• 2009 Head Coach: John Fox
• 2010 Head Coach: John Fox (71-57; 5-3)

Key Transactions

• QB Jake Delhomme (to CLE)
• QB A.J. Feeley (to StL)
• DE Julius Peppers (to CHI)
• DT Maake Kemoeatu (to WAS)
• DT Damione Lewis (to NE)

Draft Picks

• 2-16
• 3-14
• 4-14
• 6-6
• 6-33
• 6-35
• 7-16
• 7-42

Analysis & Outlook

The Carolina Panthers are in rebuild mode. After getting rid of QB Jake Delhomme and DE Julius Peppers, the Panthers are going into a new direction. Normally, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but when you’re without a first round pick, this might hurt them more than normally.

On offense, they’ll need to expand the number of weapons for new QB Matt Moore. A big target in the form a TE or a speedy WR aren’t out of the question.

On defense, they’ll look to retool around DC Ron Meeks’ Tampa-2 defense. Their run defense was weak last year and they released three D-Linemen so they will have to replenish that area.

The Panther will focus on offense with their first pick (a second rounder). Options include WRs Eric Decker and Damian Williams as well as TE Dorin Dickerson. There are also decent players available in round three should they want to go that direction, but I think they’ll get a D-Lineman. They’ll need more in the later rounds and that’s what I think they’ll focus on.

The Panthers are looking to go with a gamble here next year. They still have a fantastic running game, but I don’t expect it’ll be enough for them to be truly competitive in a division that includes the Super Bowl champion. Look for a similar result next season.